Vicar In A Tutu [Live/Rank]
The Smiths · The Smiths Complete [2011]
Lifting some lead off
The roof of the Holy Name church
It was worthwhile living a laughable life
To set my eyes on the blistering sight
Of a vicar in a tutu
He's not strange
He just wants to live his life this way
A scanty bit of a thing
With a decorative ring
That wouldn't cover the head of a goose
As Rose collects the money in a cannister
Who comes sliding down the bannister ?
The vicar in a tutu
He's not strange
He just wants to live his life this way
The monkish monsignor
With a head full of plaster
Said : "My man, get your vile soul dry-cleaned"
As Rose counts the money in the cannister
As natural as Rain
He dances again
My god !
The vicar in a tutu
Oh yeah
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh ...
The vicar in a tutu
Oh yeah
Oh ...
The next day in the pulpit
With Freedom and Ease
Combatting ignorance, dust, and disease
As Rose counts the money in the cannister
As natural as Rain
He dances again and again and again
In the fabric of a tutu
Any man could get used to
And I am the living sign
And I'm a living sign
I am a living sign
I'm a living sign
I am a living sign
I'm a living sign
Sign ...
I am a living sign
Vicar In A Tutu [Live/Rank]
Vicar In A Tutu stands as a defining track within The Smiths' extensive discography, capturing the band's signature blend of jangly guitar work and Morrissey's distinctive vocal delivery. Originally released on their second studio album, this recording has become a staple of their live performances, often showcasing the dynamic energy that characterized their concerts. The song's title and themes reflect the band's penchant for juxtaposing the mundane with the absurd, a hallmark of their songwriting approach during the mid-1980s. As part of their broader body of work, it exemplifies the post-punk and alternative rock influences that helped shape the British music scene. The track remains a beloved element of their catalogue, frequently included in compilations and celebrated for its enduring appeal among fans of the genre.